Molecular data reveal a complex population genetic structure for Psalidodon scabripinnis (Teleostei: Characidae) in the Atlantic Rainforest,Brazil

Recently renamed, Psalidodon scabripinnis populations of Serra da Mantiqueira, previously known as Astyanax scabripinnis have been deeply studied in the last years. These populations are small and isolated and occur very close to the watershed between Paraíba do Sul River basin and Upper Paraná River basin, in Serra da Mantiqueira region in the Atlantic Rainforest. These conditions arouse the interest in knowing theor genetic conservation status and how they responded to the separation between the two rivers basins. Therefore, we accessed the genetic diversity of five P. scabripinnis populations of this region with microsatellites and mitochondrial data. The results showed a complex structure pattern that doesn’t match the simple basin separation and a reasonably conservation status when compared with other populations of the same family or with similar natural history.     

Photoaffinity labeling of high affinity nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP)-binding proteins in sea urchin egg

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a messenger that regulates calcium release from intracellular acidic stores. Recent studies have identified two-pore channels (TPCs) as endolysosomal channels that are regulated by NAADP; however, the nature of the NAADP receptor binding site is unknown. To further study NAADP binding sites, we have synthesized and characterized [(32)P-5-azido]nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate ([(32)P-5N(3)]NAADP) as a photoaffinity probe. Photolysis of sea urchin egg homogenates preincubated with [(32)P-5N(3)]NAADP resulted in specific labeling of 45-, 40-, and 30-kDa proteins, which was prevented by inclusion of nanomolar concentrations of unlabeled NAADP or 5N(3)-NAADP, but not by micromolar concentrations of structurally related nucleotides such as NAD, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide mononucleotide, nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide. [(32)P-5N(3)]NAADP binding was saturable and displayed high affinity (K(d) ～10 nM) in both binding and photolabeling experiments. [(32)P-5N(3)]NAADP photolabeling was irreversible in a high K(+) buffer, a hallmark feature of NAADP binding in the egg system. The proteins photolabeled by [(32)P-5N(3)]NAADP have molecular masses smaller than the sea urchin TPCs, and antibodies to TPCs do not detect any immunoreactivity that comigrates with either the 45-kDa or the 40-kDa photolabeled proteins. Interestingly, antibodies to TPC1 and TPC3 were able to immunoprecipitate a small fraction of the 45- and 40-kDa photolabeled proteins, suggesting that these proteins associate with TPCs. These data suggest that high affinity NAADP binding sites are distinct from TPCs.     

Assessment of feline fetal viability by conceptus echobiometry and triplex Doppler ultrasonography of uterine and umbilical arteries

The aims of the present study were to: (1) evaluate blood flow in the uterine (UA) and umbilical arteries (Uma) in the pregnant queen, by measuring the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI); (2) to note the presence or absence of the early diastolic notch and diastolic flow in the UA and Uma flow waveforms, respectively; and (3) perform conceptus echobiometry for fetal growth assessment during pregnancy. Eight healthy pregnant domestic Brazilian Shorthair queens were examined from Days 10 to 50 after mating (mating=Day 0). Triplex Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography were used to assess blood flow and conceptus echobiometry. All pregnancies ended with a normal parturition and birth of live kittens. Prior to parturition, all conceptus dimensions increased significantly, whereas RI and PI peaked between Days 33 and 43 followed by a decrease (P<0.05). The PI least on Day 50. The RI and PI of Uma decreased (P<0.05) during two periods in the fetal development, i.e. from Days 22 to 40 (0.79 ± 0.01 and 1.64 ± 0.04), and from Days 41 to 50 (0.75 ± 0.01 and 1.39 ± 0.05), representing the increased Uma perfusion. Both the complete disappearance of the early diastolic notch in the UA, and the appearance of diastolic flow in the Uma occurred on Day 42 ± 1. It was concluded fetal echobiometry, UA and Uma perfusion, were important end points to assess fetal viability in queens. Furthermore, the current reference values provided a baseline for monitoring normal and abnormal pregnancies in queens.     

Leaf age does not justify its early removal in Carica papaya L

This study evaluated gas exchange and therefore sink/source condition of papaya leaves as they age in order to determine the right moment for leaf blade removal under two different strategies of climate control in greenhouses of Almería (SE Spain): Passive control (PCC; climate control of the greenhouse consisting of natural ventilation by only lateral and roof windows) versus active control (ACC; in addition to the natural ventilation, the greenhouse also incorporated a nebulization and a heating system). The effects of improved climate control were determined on papaya leaves distributed in five different positions in the canopy: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, where S1 represented the youngest leaf, whereas S5 was the oldest (senescent) leaf present in the plant canopy. We observed that all age leaves presented positive values of net photosynthesis (A_net) despite reduced light availability under plastic greenhouses. In order to separate the effects of limited light availability from the leaf age (position in the canopy), we then repeated gas exchange measurements using artificial light (400 μmol m² s⁻¹) equal for all treatments and observed that the leaves of the ACC increased up to 96% their photosynthetic rates with respect to natural light. ACC plants presented also higher A_net/g_s, showing better intrinsic water use efficiency. Based on these results, we discourage blade removal of papaya leaves when light availability above 400 μmol m² s⁻¹ is assured by correct plant spacing and cultural management.     

Anatomy and genetic diversity of two populations of Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae) from the Tibagi River basin in Paraná, Brazil

Knowledge of the effects of flooding on plant survival is relevant for the efficiency of management and conservation programs. Schinus terebinthifolius is a tree of economic and ecological importance that is common in northeast Brazil. Flooding tolerance and genetic variation were investigated in two riparian populations of S. terebinthifolius distributed along two different ecological regions of the Tibagi River basin. Flooding tolerance was evaluated through the investigation of young plants, submitted to different flooding intensities to examine the morphological and anatomical responses to this stress. The growth rate of S. terebinthifolius was not affected by flooding, but total submersion proved to be lethal for 100% of the plants. Morphological alterations such as hypertrophied lenticels were observed in both populations and lenticel openings were significantly higher in plants from one population. Genetic analysis using DNA samples obtained from both populations showed a moderate degree of genetic variation between populations (13.7%); most of the variation was found within populations (86.3%). These results show that for conservation purposes and management of degraded areas, both populations should be preserved and could be used in programs that intend to recompose riparian forests.     

Improvements in metabolic and neuromuscular fitness after 12-week bodypump® training

Greco, CC, Oliveira, AS, Pereira, MP, Figueira, TR, Ruas, VD, Gon?alves, M, and Denadai, BS. Improvements in metabolic and neuromuscular fitness after 12-week Bodypump? training. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3422-3431, 2011-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week group fitness training program (Bodypump?) on anthropometry, muscle strength, and aerobic fitness. Nineteen women (21.4 ± 2.0 years old) were randomly assigned to a training group (n = 9) and to a control group (n = 10). We show that this training program improved the 1 repetition maximum squats by 33.1% (p < 0.001) and the maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) by 13.6% (p < 0.05). Additionally, decreases in knee extensor electromyographic activity during the MVC (30%, p < 0.01) and during the squats (15%, p < 0.05) and lunges of a simulated Bodypump? session were observed after the training. Concomitantly, blood lactate and heart rate after squats of a simulated Bodypump? session were decreased by 33 and 7% (p < 0.05), respectively. Body mass, body fat, and the running velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation did not change significantly in response to this training program. We conclude that Bodypump? training improves muscular strength and decreases metabolic stress during lower limb exercises. However, no significant improvements in running aerobic fitness nor in body mass and body fat were observed. Practitioners of Bodypump? training may benefit from the increased muscular strength and the decreased muscular fatigability during exercise tasks whose motor patterns are related to those involved in this training program. However, these functional gains do not seem to be transferable into running aerobic fitness.     

Bryophyte conservation on a North Atlantic hotspot: threatened bryophytes in Madeira and Selvagens Archipelagos (Portugal)

On oceanic islands, the evolution of plants and animals with particular characteristics is favoured due to their isolation, populations normally comprising a large number of unique, endemic species. The Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos are considered biodiversity hotspots, containing an especially rich bryoflora. Due to its characteristically small size, this taxonomic group does not get much attention in conservation programmes. However, these plants are an important component of terrestrial ecosystems, representing a major part of biodiversity and playing a vital role in the ecosystem's functioning. As such, the development of the first Red List for Madeira and Selvagens Archipelagos has the potential to guide conservation efforts focused on taxa and habitats where threatened species and endemics are better represented. By applying the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria, recently revised to apply to small islands, it was possible to obtain the percentage of threatened taxa present in the archipelagos (23.6%), and for each habitat type. It was verified that high mountain habitats and the Laurel forest represent areas that host higher percentages of threatened taxa (29.5% and 22.2%). An important result of the present Red List is the identification of hotspots for bryophyte diversity, supporting the definition of reserves/microreserves. The information obtained can also be linked up with the Red Lists of other taxonomic groups to work towards the definition of a more holistic conservation strategy.     

The immunomodulatory effect of plant lectins: a review with emphasis on ArtinM properties

Advances in the glycobiology and immunology fields have provided many insights into the role of carbohydrate-protein interactions in the immune system. We aim to present a comprehensive review of the effects that some plant lectins exert as immunomodulatory agents, showing that they are able to positively modify the immune response to certain pathological conditions, such as cancer and infections. The present review comprises four main themes: (1) an overview of plant lectins that exert immunomodulatory effects and the mechanisms accounting for these activities; (2) general characteristics of the immunomodulatory lectin ArtinM from the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus; (3) activation of innate immunity cells by ArtinM and consequent induction of Th1 immunity; (4) resistance conferred by ArtinM administration in infections with intracellular pathogens, such as Leishmania (Leishmania) major, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We believe that this review will be a valuable resource for more studies in this relatively neglected area of research, which has the potential to reveal carbohydrate targets for novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.     

Inheritance of anthracnose resistance (Colletotrichum scovillei) in ripe and unripe Capsicum annuum fruits

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is one of the most common diseases affecting sweet pepper and chilli pepper production worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical zones. This disease results in severe fruit damage both pre- and postharvest. The development of resistant cultivars is the most effective strategy for disease control, which requires knowing the genetic basis of resistance. In this study, we analysed the inheritance of resistance of Capsicum annuum to Colletotrichum scovillei at two fruit development stages. The ripe and unripe fruits were inoculated by conidia suspension, and anthracnose severity was evaluated for 8 days using a score scale. It was found that the inheritance of resistance has independent expression in ripe and unripe fruits. In both cases, two main genes are responsible for resistance with polygenic effects. Genetic control, with a quantitative aspect, is more affected by dominance than the additive effects, in both fruit development stages of C. annuum.     

Inflammatory responses of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus to Streptococcus agalactiae: effects of vaccination and yeast diet supplement

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 0.3% Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell wall and of vaccination against Streptococcus agalactiae on the cellular component of acute inflammation induced in the coelomic cavity of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and on survival of the fish after challenge. A total of 84 tilapia of mean (±SD) weight 125.0 ± 1.5 g were distributed among twelve 310 l fiberglass tanks according to a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design in the following manner: with and without supplementation; 2 stimulations (oily solution without S. agalactiae vaccine and vaccination); 15 d later all fish were intracoelomically challenged with 108 CFU ml-1 of a homologous strain of S. agalactiae, and evaluated after 6, 24 and 48 h, with 7 replicates. The fish received the non-supplemented or supplemented diet for a total of 77 d. The vaccination was performed on the 60th day, intracoelomically, as a single injection of 0.5 ml of the vaccine containing 108 CFU ml-1. Fifteen days later, all the fish were challenged with S. agalactiae by means of an intracoelomic inoculation of 108 CFU ml-1. No mortality was observed among the supplemented fish. The fish that were fed the non-supplemented diet and immunized with the bacterium presented a mortality rate of 28.5%. Among the non-supplemented and non-immunized fish, the mortality rate was 38.09%. Supplementation, in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated fish, induced larger accumulations of thrombocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages at the inflammatory focus. The results suggest that supplementation with 0.3% yeast cell wall, in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated fish, improved the inflammatory response of the fish and protected against the challenge. Vaccination increased the defense response, but the effect was stronger when associated with supplementation with S. cerevisiae.